500 yard rifle?
- Thread starter thedaddycat
- Start date
The power would make it so, but with less than a good hit many would be wounded and some lost. Plus it is one thing to have a rifle with the power, and another to shoot under field conditions and make a good shot.
Almost no one should shoot at game at 500 yards. Of course most do not know how to really hunt, but just use range finders and shoot from a bipod or tripod as far as they can see.
Jerry
Almost no one should shoot at game at 500 yards. Of course most do not know how to really hunt, but just use range finders and shoot from a bipod or tripod as far as they can see.
Jerry
Gunny, I would have to agree most of the time. I must point out, however, that USMC rifle qualification (iron sights, albeit very good ones, and spotty triggers on rack grade weapons with 10s of thousands of rounds down the chrome-lined barrel only expected to hold 4 moa to be "serviceable") is a far cry from using modern, accurate hunting rifle with the right person behind it. I'm not advocating that every tom, dick, and harry that has shot a sub-moa group at 100 yards should go out trying to harvest game at 500. The fact is, though, some people can. I know I can, but I choose not to for several reasons. The biggest one being I hunt more with brush guns and bows now than scoped tactical rigs as there aren't alot of places that would offer more than a 100 yard shot where I live.
Lloyd Smale
Moderator
reading all the replys i guess id have to ask are you looking to shoot paper or live animals?
hydroholic
New member
.300 Win Mag, or .300 WSM are my favorites for the long shots. As stated above the .308 and the 7mm .08 are great too.
I don't agree with making blanket statements as to maximum range for taking a game animal.
It's a function of conditions, the equipment, and most importantly- the shooter.
A precision LR rifle in an adequate caliber in the right hands can effectively take game at distances double what we're discussing.
It's up to the shooter to know the limitations of his skill and equipment based on conditions at the time.
It's a function of conditions, the equipment, and most importantly- the shooter.
A precision LR rifle in an adequate caliber in the right hands can effectively take game at distances double what we're discussing.
It's up to the shooter to know the limitations of his skill and equipment based on conditions at the time.
The main question with shooting game at that distance is how hard is the wind blowing then the next question is can you dope the wind and hit your target consistently. If you've practiced enough to know that you are going to hit the target 99% of the time then yeah you can take a 500 yard shot with a rifle that has enough power to push bullets out that far and still be lethal. I certainly wouldn't shoot a deer at 500 yards with a .223. I wouldn't do it with a .243 either. Both will drive nails at that distance with the right equipment but neither will drive them very far. The .243 obviously has more power but not enough IMO at 500 yards.
I'd say the minimum caliber should be a .270 to even think about taking a white tail at that distance. Personally I don't have a rifle that I would trust to get the job done. I have a .223 that will do the accuracy and a 30.06 that will provide the power but the .223 isn't powerful enough and my 30.06 isn't accurate enough.
But there are lots of modern rifles that should have the accuracy and the power to get the job done if you can do your part. I like Savages myself but there are plenty of other rifles that will do the job. A Sendero will certainly do the job as will a Savage with a big enough cartridge.
I'd say the minimum caliber should be a .270 to even think about taking a white tail at that distance. Personally I don't have a rifle that I would trust to get the job done. I have a .223 that will do the accuracy and a 30.06 that will provide the power but the .223 isn't powerful enough and my 30.06 isn't accurate enough.
But there are lots of modern rifles that should have the accuracy and the power to get the job done if you can do your part. I like Savages myself but there are plenty of other rifles that will do the job. A Sendero will certainly do the job as will a Savage with a big enough cartridge.
Doodlebugger45
New member
I agree with the 7 mm mag choice. Nice accuracy and plenty of power for game but not terrible recoil. The question is which 7 mm mag? I shoot a 7 mm rem mag and I like it because it's easy and sorta cheap to buy brass for loading. 7 mm STW brass is harder to come by but not impossible and slightly more expensive. But if you read the opinions over at the 6mmbr.com site, they seem to prefer 7 mm WSM and even 7mm Rem SAUM for pure accuracy. They also tout the accuracy potential of the old .284 carftridge. I know nothing firsthand about those cartridges.
I have achieved some outstanding accuracy with my .270 WSM, but if I were challlenged to shoot at 500 yards I would reach for my 7 mm Rem mag. It's just hard to beat.
It would also be hard to beat a Savage rifle these days, either a 110 or a 112. I still prefer Win Model 70s of course, but I have to admit the Savage is probably a lot better deal.
I have achieved some outstanding accuracy with my .270 WSM, but if I were challlenged to shoot at 500 yards I would reach for my 7 mm Rem mag. It's just hard to beat.
It would also be hard to beat a Savage rifle these days, either a 110 or a 112. I still prefer Win Model 70s of course, but I have to admit the Savage is probably a lot better deal.
TheNatureBoy
New member
I just picked up a Remington Model 700 5R .308 about a hour ago and haven't had a chance to do anything with it just yet. I've owned a 7mm rem mag Sendero for about three years and I stongly recommend it. I use it to shoot targets out to 600 yards and very pleased with the results. I intend to hunt with it for the first time this season. I've loaded some Sierra Game Kings (160 grain) over 63.5 grains of RE-22. and went to the range last saturday. I've tested this combo before and its a keeper.
Someone mentioned the .280 Remington. Not a bad choice at all. This past saturday I also tested some 150gr Sierra Game Kings over 53.5 grains of IMR 4350. 10 shot group averaged 1.349 inches at 100 yards. Wanted to go 200, 300, up to 600 but water moccasins were all up and down the power line I was shooting down so 100 yards was it.
Someone mentioned the .280 Remington. Not a bad choice at all. This past saturday I also tested some 150gr Sierra Game Kings over 53.5 grains of IMR 4350. 10 shot group averaged 1.349 inches at 100 yards. Wanted to go 200, 300, up to 600 but water moccasins were all up and down the power line I was shooting down so 100 yards was it.
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robhof
I add my vote for the 7mm Rem mag, the only experience I have with it is one I borrowed in South Dakota a few years back, on my last day there after over a week of trying to get a deer with a pistol. All shots were lasering out over 250yds, so my wifes uncle loaned me his 7mm and said it was ranged for 200yds, saw a buck at over 300yds and held 1" high, pulled trigger and deer dropped; paced out to 389 paces and bullet went exactly where I expected it to. Not bad recoil and laser straight for fair distances, reasonable priced ammo too.
I add my vote for the 7mm Rem mag, the only experience I have with it is one I borrowed in South Dakota a few years back, on my last day there after over a week of trying to get a deer with a pistol. All shots were lasering out over 250yds, so my wifes uncle loaned me his 7mm and said it was ranged for 200yds, saw a buck at over 300yds and held 1" high, pulled trigger and deer dropped; paced out to 389 paces and bullet went exactly where I expected it to. Not bad recoil and laser straight for fair distances, reasonable priced ammo too.
7mm Rem mag is probably the best all-round cartridge you mentioned up front, having said that, there is a truckload of rifle makes and models that'll get the job done.
I have the Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm rem mag, it shoots 1/2 moa at one hundred yds, with commercial ammo. I paid $350.00, brand new at the wally-world here where I live. As far as scopes go, I've read alot of these replies and one fella mentioned the Vortex Viper, they're a pretty nice scope, ( i have the Diamondback) I really like mine.
If you handload, the 7mm rem mag is also a pleasure to load for and shoot, as I shoot test loads through mine almost every weekend. It loves the 150 gr partitions, Ballistic tips, and some Hornady Custom stuff also...
500 no problems!!
I have the Weatherby Vanguard in 7mm rem mag, it shoots 1/2 moa at one hundred yds, with commercial ammo. I paid $350.00, brand new at the wally-world here where I live. As far as scopes go, I've read alot of these replies and one fella mentioned the Vortex Viper, they're a pretty nice scope, ( i have the Diamondback) I really like mine.
If you handload, the 7mm rem mag is also a pleasure to load for and shoot, as I shoot test loads through mine almost every weekend. It loves the 150 gr partitions, Ballistic tips, and some Hornady Custom stuff also...
500 no problems!!DeerSlayer86
New member
Go with one of the 6.5mm!!!
I had the opportunity to shoot a 6.5x47 lapua the other day and it was awesome! The BC is over .600 and was very enjoyable to shoot. To get BCs that high in a .30 cal bullet you have to shoot over a 200g bullet vs 140 in the 6.5 variants. At 500 yds I put 6 consecutive shots into a 3" circle and am not a long range shooter. I was very pleased with it. A lot of the accuracy of course has to do with the set up...done by Lloyd Hill of the Long Range Shooting Shop. Does outstanding work. If your serious about it check him out
I had the opportunity to shoot a 6.5x47 lapua the other day and it was awesome! The BC is over .600 and was very enjoyable to shoot. To get BCs that high in a .30 cal bullet you have to shoot over a 200g bullet vs 140 in the 6.5 variants. At 500 yds I put 6 consecutive shots into a 3" circle and am not a long range shooter. I was very pleased with it. A lot of the accuracy of course has to do with the set up...done by Lloyd Hill of the Long Range Shooting Shop. Does outstanding work. If your serious about it check him out
I would offer the following, first if you believe any amount of shooting with light guns in the calibers you have quoted is going to be pleasant youre going to be dissapointed. I'd give serious thought to looking at the recent offerings of mid-caliber offerings designed exactly for what you're looking for and are considerably easier to place bullets on paper with less punishment and/or barrel wear. 6x47, 6.5 Grendal, 6.8 SPC are frankly a hell of a lot cheaper and more pleasant to shoot. Lastly, I'd suggest a lot of study on optics. Do you really want to constrain your performance with an 18X optic? You really want to be looking at glass twice that magnification.
Have we figured out if the OP wants to shoot targets or animals?
If targets then any reasonable caliber will do. My old man - who placed at Camp Perry shooting 600 yds with a service Springfield during the '30s - always said there are no inaccurate cartridges, just inaccurate rifles and, most important, inaccurate shooters.
500 yds is way too far to shoot game unless conditions are near perfect. No down range wind, no mirage, a standing broadside target and a good, solid rest. When I lived in the southwest many 500 yard shots presented themselves, but seldom (if ever) were conditions perfect. The longest game shot I've ever made was a measured 430 yds on a muley with a .243. It was early in the morning with no wind, resting over the hood of the pickup. I killed the deer but I never should have taken that shot. Game animals are too valuable and deserve our respect. There is a hell of a lot more to hunting than being able to shoot long distances. I'd rather develop the skills to get closer to the game and be sure of my shot.
Targets are a different thing of course. Shoot 'em from a mile away and have fun! For 500yds I'd choose a good 7mm mag with the best scope I could afford.
George
If targets then any reasonable caliber will do. My old man - who placed at Camp Perry shooting 600 yds with a service Springfield during the '30s - always said there are no inaccurate cartridges, just inaccurate rifles and, most important, inaccurate shooters.
500 yds is way too far to shoot game unless conditions are near perfect. No down range wind, no mirage, a standing broadside target and a good, solid rest. When I lived in the southwest many 500 yard shots presented themselves, but seldom (if ever) were conditions perfect. The longest game shot I've ever made was a measured 430 yds on a muley with a .243. It was early in the morning with no wind, resting over the hood of the pickup. I killed the deer but I never should have taken that shot. Game animals are too valuable and deserve our respect. There is a hell of a lot more to hunting than being able to shoot long distances. I'd rather develop the skills to get closer to the game and be sure of my shot.
Targets are a different thing of course. Shoot 'em from a mile away and have fun! For 500yds I'd choose a good 7mm mag with the best scope I could afford.
George
longranger
New member
Thats all well and good until you cripple an animal.Yes you can cripple animals closer but chances are better closer of making a humane kill.I disagree that it takes the same effort to shoot 500 yds,than it is to get within 200 yds or less.Shooting is the EASY part,getting an ethical hunting shot is another matter entirely.I can teach anyone to shoot well at 500 yds.I can't teach them to be better hunters.